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The third time is the charm, goes the saying. If that's the case, Matt Morris should notch his 15th victory on Sunday afternoon. Morris has lost his last two starts in unimpressive fashion, posting a 7.29 ERA in the two games.
Morris (14-7, 3.97 ERA) will face tough competition in the Mets' future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez (13-7, 2.95 ERA). Martinez struggled in his one outing against St. Louis this season, allowing five runs, four of them earned, in six innings pitched in a 7-6 St. Louis win.
Morris pitched well back on May 15 in his one start against the Mets this season. He went 7 2/3 innings, striking out six and allowing just two runs.
On Saturday, the Cardinals took care of the Mets early, getting out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning and holding on for a 4-2 victory.
A win on Sunday would ensure a series sweep and would be the 12th consecutive time they have beaten the Mets at Busch Stadium.
Pitching matchup
NYM: RHP Pedro Martinez
• 13-7, 2.95 ERA in 2005
• 0-1, 6.00 ERA vs. STL in one 2005 start
STL: RHP Matt Morris
• 14-7, 3.97 ERA in 2005
• 1-0, 2.08 ERA vs. NYM in one 2005 start
Player to watch
Abraham Nunez has faced Martinez just twice in his career, but he has one hit in those two at-bats. Nunez has been stellar in filling in for third baseman Scott Rolen. He has played as well as anyone in the National League defensively and was hitting .299 heading into Saturday's game. In his last nine games, he is hitting .333 (13-for-39) and is hitting .303 with runners in scoring position this season.
Quotable
"For a guy who last year didn't start to hit until the end of [the] season, he got a big hit. This is more like he has been his whole career. He's a tough out." -- Tony La Russa, on Suppan's home run
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes
On television
• NYM: WPIX
• STL: WB-11
On radio
• NYM: WFAN 660, WADO 1280 (Español)
• STL: KMOX 1120
Quick hits
Suppan recorded his fourth win in his last seven starts. He ended a streak of 13 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run when he gave up a home run to Mike Piazza in the second inning. He is now 5-3, with a 2.85 ERA since the All-Star break. ... Suppan's home run in the third inning was the first in Busch Stadium since Woody Williams hit one against the Padres on July 1, 2002. It was the second home run by a Cardinals pitcher this season. Jason Marquis hit the first on June 4 in Houston. ... Albert Pujols was walked for the 84th time this season on Saturday, matching a single-season high. With a run scored on Saturday, he has now scored in eight of his last 11 games (12 runs), increasing his Major League-leading total to 117. ... David Eckstein went 0-for-3, ending his 14-game hitting streak. ... Chris Duncan, son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, made his Major League debut on Saturday, flying out to center in his only at-bat. ... The last time the Mets won at Busch Stadium was Aug. 9, 2002. ... Busch Stadium was sold out for the 41st time this season and the 16th consecutive. The team has drawn over 40,000 fans to each of its last 33 home games.
On deck
• Monday: vs. Pittsburgh, 7:10 p.m. CT
• Tuesday: vs. Pittsburgh, 7:10 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: vs. Pittsburgh, 1:10 p.m. CT
Morris (14-7, 3.97 ERA) will face tough competition in the Mets' future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez (13-7, 2.95 ERA). Martinez struggled in his one outing against St. Louis this season, allowing five runs, four of them earned, in six innings pitched in a 7-6 St. Louis win.
Morris pitched well back on May 15 in his one start against the Mets this season. He went 7 2/3 innings, striking out six and allowing just two runs.
On Saturday, the Cardinals took care of the Mets early, getting out to a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning and holding on for a 4-2 victory.
A win on Sunday would ensure a series sweep and would be the 12th consecutive time they have beaten the Mets at Busch Stadium.
Pitching matchup
NYM: RHP Pedro Martinez
• 13-7, 2.95 ERA in 2005
• 0-1, 6.00 ERA vs. STL in one 2005 start
STL: RHP Matt Morris
• 14-7, 3.97 ERA in 2005
• 1-0, 2.08 ERA vs. NYM in one 2005 start
Player to watch
Abraham Nunez has faced Martinez just twice in his career, but he has one hit in those two at-bats. Nunez has been stellar in filling in for third baseman Scott Rolen. He has played as well as anyone in the National League defensively and was hitting .299 heading into Saturday's game. In his last nine games, he is hitting .333 (13-for-39) and is hitting .303 with runners in scoring position this season.
Quotable
"For a guy who last year didn't start to hit until the end of [the] season, he got a big hit. This is more like he has been his whole career. He's a tough out." -- Tony La Russa, on Suppan's home run
On the Internet
MLB.TV
Gameday Audio
• Gameday
• Official game notes
On television
• NYM: WPIX
• STL: WB-11
On radio
• NYM: WFAN 660, WADO 1280 (Español)
• STL: KMOX 1120
Quick hits
Suppan recorded his fourth win in his last seven starts. He ended a streak of 13 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run when he gave up a home run to Mike Piazza in the second inning. He is now 5-3, with a 2.85 ERA since the All-Star break. ... Suppan's home run in the third inning was the first in Busch Stadium since Woody Williams hit one against the Padres on July 1, 2002. It was the second home run by a Cardinals pitcher this season. Jason Marquis hit the first on June 4 in Houston. ... Albert Pujols was walked for the 84th time this season on Saturday, matching a single-season high. With a run scored on Saturday, he has now scored in eight of his last 11 games (12 runs), increasing his Major League-leading total to 117. ... David Eckstein went 0-for-3, ending his 14-game hitting streak. ... Chris Duncan, son of Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan, made his Major League debut on Saturday, flying out to center in his only at-bat. ... The last time the Mets won at Busch Stadium was Aug. 9, 2002. ... Busch Stadium was sold out for the 41st time this season and the 16th consecutive. The team has drawn over 40,000 fans to each of its last 33 home games.
On deck
• Monday: vs. Pittsburgh, 7:10 p.m. CT
• Tuesday: vs. Pittsburgh, 7:10 p.m. CT
• Wednesday: vs. Pittsburgh, 1:10 p.m. CT
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